We are NOT a Seltzer: Why That Distinction Actually Matters

In today’s beverage world, everything bubbly tends to get lumped into one category.

Seltzer. Hard seltzer. Vodka seltzer. Canned cocktail.

To the casual drinker, it can all feel interchangeable. But if you’ve ever cracked a can expecting one thing and tasted something completely different, you already know the truth:

Not all canned drinks are the same—and calling everything a seltzer misses the point.

For brands built on quality, ingredients, and intention, the distinction between a seltzer and a spirit-based cocktail actually matters. A lot.

Here’s why.

What Is a Seltzer, Really?

At its most basic, a seltzer is carbonated water.

In the alcohol world, hard seltzer usually means:

• Fermented sugar or malt alcohol

• Carbonated water

• Added flavor

These drinks are brewed more like beer than cocktails.

According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), malt-based beverages fall under entirely different regulations than distilled spirits (https://www.ttb.gov/spirits).

That difference shows up in taste, texture, and aftertaste.

What Makes a Spirit-Based Cocktail Different

A spirit-based canned cocktail starts with distilled alcohol, not fermentation.

In the case of vodka cocktails, that means:

• Distilled vodka

• Intentional flavor construction

• Cleaner alcohol profile

Vodka is distilled to remove impurities, resulting in a smoother, more neutral base. That’s why it’s been a cocktail staple for decades.

When vodka is the foundation, the drink behaves like a cocktail—not a seltzer.

Why the Alcohol Base Changes Everything

The alcohol base is the most important ingredient—and the one most consumers overlook.

Malt-Based Drinks

• Can carry a subtle bitterness

• Often leave an aftertaste

• Rely heavily on flavoring to compensate

Vodka-Based Cocktails

• Finish clean

• Let flavors breathe

• Taste intentional rather than masked

This is why many people say, “I don’t usually like seltzers,” then realize they enjoy vodka cocktails.

Flavor Isn’t Just Flavor—It’s Structure

Seltzers are designed to be ultra-light. Vodka cocktails are designed to be balanced.

That balance comes from:

• Real spirit weight

• Proper dilution

• Thoughtful flavor ratios

The result is a drink that feels complete—not thin or one-dimensional.

Why ‘Not a Seltzer’ Matters for Drinkers

Calling a vodka cocktail a seltzer sets the wrong expectation.

Drinkers choosing canned cocktails are often looking for:

• A real cocktail experience

• Consistency

• Better flavor

• No surprises

Understanding the distinction helps people choose what actually fits the moment.

The Rise of RTD Cocktails (And the Fall of One-Size-Fits-All)

The ready-to-drink category has matured.

Early RTDs focused on novelty and low calories. Today’s consumers want:

• Ingredient transparency

• Better taste

• Spirit-forward options

According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (https://www.distilledspirits.org), spirit-based RTDs now outpace malt-based growth as drinkers seek higher-quality options.

Why Brands Care About the Distinction

For spirit-based brands, being mislabeled as a seltzer isn’t just semantics—it undermines the product.

It erases:

• Distillation quality

• Ingredient investment

• Craft intention

Brands that say “not a seltzer” are protecting the experience inside the can.

Where Vodka Cocktails Fit Today

Vodka cocktails live between worlds.

They’re:

• Lighter than traditional cocktails

• More intentional than seltzers

• Easier than mixing drinks at home

That middle ground is exactly where modern drinkers want to be.

The Cultural Shift Toward Better Drinking

Today’s drinkers are asking better questions.

What’s in it?How is it made?Why does it taste the way it does?

As education grows, distinctions matter more—not less.

Final Word: Not a Seltzer Is a Statement

Saying “not a seltzer” isn’t about tearing anything down.

It’s about clarity.

It’s about respecting what’s in the can—and the people drinking it.

Looking for a vodka cocktail that’s built like a cocktail, not a workaround?

Explore Nashville Cats Cocktails and taste the difference a real spirit makes.